Weekly Power and Data Center Project Insights: Unveiling Progress from EIA 860M and Satellite Data

Another month brings an update from the EIA 860M, with additions now aligning more closely with historical trends. Approximately 5 GW of new capacity were added, primarily comprising solar and battery projects.

Most of these additions are projected to come online in 2027, with nearly 1.4 GW anticipated this year.

Geographically, the majority of these additions are concentrated in California, Texas, and the Western Midwest.

The latest release also noted 1 GW of retirements and cancellations. The largest cancellation was a 300 MW battery project in South Texas, first appearing in the 860M in February 2023.

As is common with 860M data, we observed a few "ghost projects"—power plants listed as operational for the first time, sometimes with a history of prior operation. This includes two large battery projects in Texas that have been in operation since December 2023 and January 2024, respectively.

Highlights of the Week:

• Abilene, TX Mega Data center Site: We observed significant clearing at the mega data center site in Abilene, Texas. This project, known as Stargate or Project Ludicrous, is projected to be 1.2 GW on an 875-acre campus. Satellite construction imagery indicates that 800 MW are currently under development in 200 MW tranches.

6/29/2025 – Latest

• New Natural Gas Plant Addition: A 249 MW natural gas plant was added to the 860M, already listed as under construction with an anticipated online date of September 2025. However, our observations indicate that land clearing commenced on May 23, 2024, and while "some" progress has been made, the project is unlikely to be 50% complete. This makes a September 2025 online date highly improbable.

                5/23/2024 – Land Cleared                                                                            6/29/2025 – Latest